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Trial begins for teen charged with murder

The charges against Laisha Landrum stem from the 2004 slaying of Emily Ann Clemons, 16.

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published January 11, 2006

TAMPA - Donna Clemons put her hand to her face Tuesday and turned her head away in court as a prosecutor unrolled the blood-stained rug where her daughter once lay, fighting for her life.

She closed her eyes when a sheriff's deputy testified how he climbed into a trash bin to check the pulse of Emily Ann Clemons, 16, wrapped in a comforter and thrown there after being beaten at her ex-boyfriend's apartment.

Emily Clemons' ex, Rocky Almestica Jr., was found guilty in November 2004 of second-degree murder in her death. A judge sentenced him last year to life in prison.

Now Almestica's girlfriend is on trial. Laisha Landrum is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. Prosecutor Donna Hanes said the couple used two pots, a hammer and a radio to beat Clemons on her head. They landed blows at least 34 times, Hanes said. Both Almestica and Landrum were also 16 at the time.

Hillsborough sheriff's Cpl. Daniel Luvinski arrived first at the Amaretto Apartments on N 22nd Street during the early hours of June 10, 2004. Someone had called 911 to say they heard noises - maybe from a trapped animal - coming from the trash bin.

Inside, he found Emily Clemons, unresponsive.

"Can you hear me? Can you hear me?" Luvinski recalled asking Clemons, during the first day of testimony in Landrum's trial.

Clemons died hours later at a hospital. Prosecutors said she had been bludgeoned on her head so badly a piece of her skull was missing.

Landrum's attorney, Brian Gonzalez, told jurors that Landrum and Clemons did fight that night. But Landrum didn't kill her, he said.

"There was only one person responsible for this murder, and he's not on trial before you this week. Laisha Landrum is," Gonzalez said.

He said that Clemons went to the Amaretto Apartments around 9:30 p.m. June 9, 2004, where Almestica and Landrum lived with their infant and Almestica's father. Landrum told investigators that when she opened the door, Clemons barged in with an object and cut her on the arm. She threatened to kill Landrum and her baby, then headed for the crib.

But the infant wasn't home. When the two teen girls came face to face, Clemons kicked Landrum in the stomach and legs, Gonzalez said. Landrum fought back at first with her fists.

Gonzalez said that when Clemons began to attack Almestica, her ex-boyfriend, Landrum grabbed a pot from the kitchen and hit Clemons once in the head. Clemons fell to the ground then got up and walked out the apartment.

Landrum said she heard a "thud" outside after Clemons left. But she didn't check to see what caused it.

Gonzalez said that Clemons was jealous of the relationship between Landrum and Almestica. Donna Clemons testified that her daughter had been pregnant with Almestica's baby but had a miscarriage. Gonzalez said Emily Clemons was obsessed with Almestica and wished she had had his child.

Prosecutors called Marshall Watson, a friend to Almestica and Landrum, who testified he saw Clemons' bloodied body at the young couple's apartment. Landrum had asked him to help Almestica get rid of the body. But he refused, insisting that they call 911.

The jury also heard videotaped testimony from a man who lived at the Amaretto and said he saw Landrum and Almestica making several trips to the trash bins that night.

Prosecutors plan to call more witnesses to the stand today. The trial is expected to last through the end of the week.

Kevin Graham can be reached at 813 226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 11, 2006, 00:40:10]